The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-08
POLITICAL CURRENTS,


Things That May Ultimately Spoil a Grow
ing Presidential Boom.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. May 6-There are some queer
currents in the maeIstrom of public opinion Just
now in regard to the nominations for President
next year. For instance within day or two it
has been announced that strange phase of the
opposition to the nomination of President Cleve-
land has manifested itself among the Catholic
elements of New York. 1t seems that when he
Governor of that State he vetoed several
bills appropriating funds from the State treas
ury to sustain institutions that belonged to and
were controlled by the Catholic Church solely,
having no claim upon the State treasury, except
that in the institutions there were probably
maintained in comfort many INDECENT persons
who would have otherwise become a public
charge These vetoes had much to do in driving
from him many votes of that church in 1884,
and the feeling has grown stronger with each
succeeding year ever since, and this phase of the
opposition 10 him may in the end render it
necessary for the Democracy to look somewhere
else for candidate than the White House.
''Is Mr.. Bayard, OF the State Department,
playing foul with his ch;ef2"
This question has been asked frequently in
political circles hereabouts lately. Aad the rea-
son for asking such a conundrum is found in the
way which Mr. Bayard has organized the con-
sular and diplomatic service since he took charge
of it. An examination of the rosters of the
diplomates and consuls appointed by Mr.. Bayard
will show that he has chosen confederates
four times out of five to represent this govern
ment abroad This penchant for ex-rebels has
been marked that it has provoked a great deal
of indignant comment upon the part of Mr.
f,;1 III
many of them do not hesitate to charge that
Mr.. Bayard is playing his cards for nomination
himself, in Mr.. Cleveland fails to secure a
second show. These people say Mr. Bayard has
dispensed his patronage in the way he has with
the hope of getting the the solid vote of the
South in case "a dark horse becomes necessary.
If this is Mr.. Bayard's scheme he has played it
we'll, for gratitude, if other incentive ought
to secure him the solid South in 1885, That
these ex-confederates can do very much toward
making him the successful dark horse is certain
as death and taxes. for they all belong to the
class of men who, in the South. manage tho
Democratic party as close corporation, which
only patricians aspire to rule the 3lebes be-
ing recognized by them only as SO much voting
capital
There has also sprung up here. in the minds
of the Union Democrats, very serious doubt
whether it will be expedient polite to renom-
inate Mr. Cleveland. This class of Democrats
say that the Presidents recent Albert Sidney
Johnston and John c. Calhoun letters will cost
him thousands of votes in every loyal State next
year; that no sound Union Democrat can vote
for any man who holds such sentiments at this
late day. Those letters produced a profound
sensation here. when first made public and the
surprise at them has not even yet subsded. One
Ia,l L
What does he moan, anyhow! There is no
need of his making such demonstrations in order
to secure the confederate vote. He bought that
long ago. and paid for it in good. fat appoint
ments. and no hope to deprive him of
the usufruet thereof, and, therefore, his writing
such letters was work of supererogation, like
painting the lily, gliding refined gold The
votes needed to nominate and re-elect him-if
he is nominated and re reelected-must come from
some other section of the Union; the East,
North Northwest and ne should have done
something to conciliate the Democrats of those
sections Instead OF that he has caused huge
disgust all through those quarters of the Union.
He is foolish in politics when Dan Manning is
not at his side. and more's the pity"
On the Republican side of the fence matters
are in much better shape, than with those of
their ancient foes. With each succeeding day
the feeling is growing stronger and stronger that
their true policy is not to anticipate events, nor
to concentrate on any one man irrevocably. Re-
publicans of all classes have thinking caps on
just now, and will keep them No man can
claim the nomination his, Just yet. When
ever one falls in with a knot of Republicans. let
them come from where they may, if he will listen
atten lively he will hear the sentiment that
there is no hurry necessary in choosing the Re-
publican leader for 1888; that it will pay to
pause, ponder. compare notes and pick out the
best and strongest man. let him. be who he may.
heal all the differences in the party, and then 60
in to win And in this predispositiou of the Narty |
will be found, in time, invincible presage of |
an overwhelming triumph. There seems to be
no discount on that